Arts Action Strategies
True -- and successful -- advocacy is not just about getting your legislator to vote for a specific piece of legislation -- it's about building relationships that last. With that in mind, here are some things you can do today -- tomorrow -- whenever you find the time -- to build those relationships and gain visibility for your work, your organization, your community, and the arts across Wisconsin. REMEMBER: Advocacy is an every day activity!
Here are big and small ways to educate decision-makers about the economic, educational and civic importance of the arts in your community and statewide:
-
Establish an ongoing Advocacy Committee within your organization to monitor arts issues and coordinate advocacy activities.
-
Recognize and thank local, state and federal legislators for their support of arts funding and arts education.
-
Involve local, state and national elected officials in your programs, events, exhibitions, performances and classrooms, in these ways:
-
Send them posters from your performances, exhibitions, education classes, or school performance, with a note inviting them to attend.
-
Ask them to speak briefly at your annual meeting.
-
Offer to provide artwork from artists and/or students in your community for their legislative offices on a rotating basis.
-
Meet with legislators for coffee or lunch while they are in their home district (click here for the legislative session calendar).
-
Host a breakfast meeting, reception or other type of forum, in order to express your concern for state funding support of the arts and arts education.
-
Invite elected officials to a board meeting or annual meeting so they can meet your board members and supporters and understand the important role your organization plays in the community, and the value of state dollars in making a difference.
-
Ask an elected official to write a column for your newsletter or website in support of the arts.
-
Offer to be a reliable source for information to your elected officials about the arts and arts education, and provide them with regular updates on issues and trends.
-
Keep finding large and small ways to educate your elected officials about the value of your organization's programs and services within the community
-
Stay abreast of current and future trends, issues and events that affect your work, your organization, and your community.
-
Sign up for Arts Wisconsin's Legislative Action Center -- easy online advocacy for the arts. You don't have to be a member to use this service, but it sure helps! We need your support to do our work on your behalf!
-
Become a member of Arts Wisconsin and be connected to the exciting and diverse statewide arts community!
- More info from the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies:
Strategies for Building Arts Support
Advocacy for Public Support of the Arts: A Civic Responsibility